Ag Commissioner candidates speak at forum in Lubbock

Republican candidates for Texas Ag Commissioner were in town Wednesday discussing the issues, and why they are the best choice to lead the Texas agency.

The Lubbock Republican Party hosted candidates Eric Opiela, J Allen Carnes, Sid Miller and Tommy Merritt in a forum. Dan Jackson, with Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin, said the race is of utmost importance considering the impact agriculture has on the Texas economy as a whole.

"Agriculture impacts the Lubbock economy to the tune of about $10 billion," Jackson said. "So, that agriculture money turns over several times in the economy in Lubbock. It's very important to this part of the state, and again, that's why we wanted to bring them here, is to give them a chance to come up in our part of the country and see what we are about."

Topics of discussion included water development, producer incentives, economic development and infrastructure for the TDA.